To Grey or not to Grey?

[Tannenberg]

I've just received the excellent 28mm Ehrhardt from 'Black Army', and it's a beauty!!!  I will be planning to use this for my long overdue pet dream of wargaming some scenarios for the Latvian campaign of 1919.  The question I have is....what would this vehicle (and any other German military vehicles of this time) have been painted in?  Would I be wrong in saying a mid to dark grey would have been used...or perhaps a dark green?  All pointers and information will be gratefully accepted

[Fitz]

The Germans used a grey+green+ochre or grey+green+brown 3-colour disruptive scheme between the wars, before they went to the grey+brown scheme of the mid-late '30s, but I can't recall off-hand when it was introduced. They were using it in the last days of WW1, so I suspect it would be appropriate for campaigns in 1919.

[Tannenberg]

Thank you for that Fitz   I was aware of the disruptive cammo pattern they used but I'm more so interested in finding more out about the standard colour they would've painted their vehicles.  I've seen some really great photos of the armoured cars which were used but, as the photos are in black and white, all I can tell is that the vehicles look a 'dark' sort of colour.  I know the Germans used a few captured Russian armoured cars but would also be interested to know if the Germans changed the colours on these or left them in their original colour.

[ahpincis]

I am trying to figure similar questions. My suspicion is that a 'disruptive' scheme was used; as Tannenberg says, the pictures show light and shade so monochrome can fairly be forgotten, at least for vehicles. The Latvians certainly named their vehicles with Latvian names and typography.

[ahpincis]

Just to add...I remember there are a couple of British Mk V tanks displayed in Ukraine. Can find them on Wiki; they are green...

[Arlequín]

I'm led to believe that the 'Feldgrau' of Great War vintage varied from a slate grey to a green-grey, depending on who made/mixed it. It was lighter than the later 'Panzer Grey'. A variety of disruptive patterns could be applied over that, with some quite striking and unusual colours it seems.

Apparently the interwar pattern to 1938 was green, brown and ochre... no grey. It's a matter of great debate amongst panzerpeople it seems.  

I'd be wary and check the source's sources before putting brush to model.  

This might help: http://www.figuras.miniatures.de/colour-ral-farben.html

[ahpincis]

I agree Arlequin to be wary, the problem is the lack of colour references. It is quite frustrating! So many photos and so little colour info!